Manning’s contract at Bristol City ran until the end of next season and it is thought the Canaries have paid a release clause to bring him in.
The 39-year-old was born in Norwich and played for the club’s academy before joining Ipswich Town – but he never made a senior appearance for their East Anglian rivals and spent most of his career in non-league football.
His first coaching job was at West Ham and he then took charge of Belgian club Lommel in 2020 before returning to England as MK Dons head coach the following year.
He guided them to the League One play-offs in 2022 and subsequently had an eight-month spell at Oxford United, who were second in the third tier when he accepted an offer to move on to Bristol City.
Despite Bristol City having the smallest squad in the Championship this past season, Manning guided them to their first play-off finish in 17 years, largely built on a strong foundation of home form and squad togetherness.
Only promoted Burnley and Leeds, and play-off finalists Sheffield United bettered their record at home of 13 wins, seven draws and three defeats.
Norwich eventually finished 13th in 2024-25, 11 points outside the play-offs, and are set to embark on their fourth season in the Championship since relegation from the Premier League in 2022.
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